IAAF sets Russia strict conditions for reinstatement

11 Dec 2015 - 18:33

Paris: The IAAF on Friday sent the Russian athletics federation (ARAF) a list of strict terms it needs to meet for reinstatement following a ban over widespread doping and corruption in track and field.

The "terms of reference" were approved by the IAAF taskforce in consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Association of Athletics Federations said in a statement.

"The conditions we have announced leave no room for doubt," IAAF president Sebastian Coe said.

"Russia must demonstrate verifiable change across a range of criteria and satisfy our taskforce that those criteria will be met permanently.

"There is no timeline for Russia. It is up to them to implement verifiable change both in anti-doping practise and culture."

The terms of reference demand that ARAF comply with all WADA and IAAF anti-doping rules and requirements, and that the federation allow the IAAF and Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to carry out their respective anti-doping activities in Russia "effectively and without interference".

"As a result the participation of Russian athletes and athlete support personnel will not jeopardise the integrity of international competitions," the IAAF said.

The IAAF said that ARAF must "clean house" by showing that none of its directors, officers and staff "has any past involvement in doping, must sever ties with anyone who cannot meet this requirement... and must introduce a comprehensive code of ethics and reasonable term limits for all of its officials moving forward".

ARAF was suspended last month after a bombshell report published by a WADA independent commission found evidence of state-sponsored doping and large-scale corruption in Russian athletics.

Russia -- whose anti-doping agency RUSADA and anti-doping laboratory were suspended over the report -- has vowed to retrieve IAAF membership in time for its track and field athletes to compete at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The IAAF taskforce will make a first visit to Russia in January.

AFP

Paris: The IAAF on Friday sent the Russian athletics federation (ARAF) a list of strict terms it needs to meet for reinstatement following a ban over widespread doping and corruption in track and field.

The "terms of reference" were approved by the IAAF taskforce in consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Association of Athletics Federations said in a statement.

"The conditions we have announced leave no room for doubt," IAAF president Sebastian Coe said.

"Russia must demonstrate verifiable change across a range of criteria and satisfy our taskforce that those criteria will be met permanently.

"There is no timeline for Russia. It is up to them to implement verifiable change both in anti-doping practise and culture."

The terms of reference demand that ARAF comply with all WADA and IAAF anti-doping rules and requirements, and that the federation allow the IAAF and Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to carry out their respective anti-doping activities in Russia "effectively and without interference".

"As a result the participation of Russian athletes and athlete support personnel will not jeopardise the integrity of international competitions," the IAAF said.

The IAAF said that ARAF must "clean house" by showing that none of its directors, officers and staff "has any past involvement in doping, must sever ties with anyone who cannot meet this requirement... and must introduce a comprehensive code of ethics and reasonable term limits for all of its officials moving forward".

ARAF was suspended last month after a bombshell report published by a WADA independent commission found evidence of state-sponsored doping and large-scale corruption in Russian athletics.

Russia -- whose anti-doping agency RUSADA and anti-doping laboratory were suspended over the report -- has vowed to retrieve IAAF membership in time for its track and field athletes to compete at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.